About the Program

Drexel's top-ten nationally-ranked Game Design & Production program combines a strong comprehension of animation and interactivity with an understanding of design, programming, production, and team work.

The major mirrors a sector that has seen an explosion in gaming, not just in personal entertainment, but throughout multiple industries and the corporate world. The gaming industry has matured into a source of large-budget AAA and smaller indie entertainment projects. It encompasses the use of serious gaming, where gaming technologies are used in education and training for practically any topic.

Fully immersive games use constantly evolving methods of presentation and interaction, such as personal data-trackers, Internet-of-Things (IoT), multi-touch displays, mediated-reality (augmented and virtual) motion and gesture capture, motion simulation, and haptic devices. To best prepare for the demands of careers in these rapidly changing disciplines, students pursue a foundation of design and technology, taking core courses in all aspects of digital media, completing a six-month co-op and delving into rigorous specialty coursework. Provided a robust foundation, students are prepared to adapt to shifting industry demands and maintain a fluency across the digital media spectrum.

To complement the creative focus of the Game Design & Production major, a minor in Computer Science is popular, and in many cases an ideal supplement for Game Design & Production students. This minor increases programming knowledge while maintaining a creative design and production focus. This minor would be easy to achieve within a plan of study using free electives. For the computer-engineering-focused, a sister concentration in game programming and development is offered as part of Drexel's major in computer science.

Co-op/Career Opportunities

Drexel students have broad training in all areas of game design and production, and our students have career opportunities in both entertainment gaming and broader simulation/training industries, and anywhere interactive gaming technology is applied - a growing segment in all industries.

Co-op Experiences

Building a career often begins with a few key contacts and the co-op program gives Drexel students the chance to meet professionals, making their skills known, and build their personal network.. A recent co-op student at Microsoft Studios worked with producers on several different titles and was offered a job in his junior year that was waiting for him after he completed his senior year.

In addition to small and large entertainment companies, students have opportunities to explore how game design is applicable to many local and international industries ranging from aerospace to pharmaceuticals to yacht design.

Other students chose indie studios or launch their own digital media or game companies. Students also chose to work outside of entertainment by applying their game production skills to more serious endeavors with companies including Comcast, Lockheed Martin, and Vanguard.

Dual Accelerated Degrees

BS/MS in Digital Media

The accelerated degree programs enable academically qualified students to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in five years instead of six — graduating sooner than they would in traditional programs. In addition, the graduate-level courses students take in their junior and senior years are included in their undergraduate tuition, which saves almost a year's worth of their MS tuition.

Current Drexel students may apply for an accelerated degree programs through the Graduate College of Drexel University after completing 90.0 credits, but no more than 120.0 credits. Many of our accelerated students have gone on to careers at leading companies including Pixar, Microsoft Studios, Dreamworks, NCSoft, and Disney.

Writing-intensive Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

For additional information, and an up-to-date list of the writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Drexel University Writing Center page